Iran, Malaysia Eager to Bolster Relations

Malaysian Ambassador to Iran Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin and the head of Iran-Malaysia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Mahmoud Sadeqi, underlined the need for bolstering mutual cooperation. During the meeting held in Tehran on Monday, Abidin and Sadeqi explored avenues for upgrading bilateral ties in different fields, Fars News Agency reported. The Iranian lawmaker said terrorist and extremist groups are at the root of crises and insecurities in the region. “Muslim states should confront the terrorist and extremist groups through unity,” Sadeqi said. Abidin expressed satisfaction over the growing trend of ties between the two countries and said, “In recent years, good political, economic and trade relations have been established between Iran and Malaysia.” Earlier this month, Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed announced his country’s willingness to launch free trade talks with Iran. Trade between the two countries hit $700 million in 2015.